"I Want To Make a Move... & a Movie", Samir Nair Speaks To Subhash K Jha on his sudden decision To Leave Star...

Why the change of heart?
Well, even when I spoke to you last, I did mention that the change (from Star) might happen in the future. I wasn't aware that it would be so soon. The thought was in my head for a long time.

Finally I decided I needed to do something new, and in an independent manner. I was getting restless. I need to have a sense of equity in the company that I proceed to next.

Both you and Peter Mukherjea seem to be moving out simultaneously?
No, his departure was on the anvil for quite a while, though obviously I didn't ask him details. As for me, I came to Star when I was 29. Now I'm 42. So it's more than a decade. It's time to carry my vision forward. It's time for an unfettered creative expression with a sense of ownership and purpose.

Would you say you've peaked at Star?
I wouldn't say that. No I wouldn't say that. I believe there's a lot of bad blood against you at Star?
(evasively) My father always taught me one thing. 'Turn the page. Never dwell in the past'. Yes, there were differences about the management style...until it came to a point where I said, just forget it. In life you can't choose parents and bosses.

I want to do other things in life...I want to make a movie. In fact that's been a dream since 1999. I used to make ad films.

But my experience at Star has been great fun. It has taught me everything I know. And I'd think I've given a lot back to the channel. Yup, I've had a good time.

If you had a choice to do things your way would you stay on at Star?
Let's not ponder on the imponderable.

Was switching over from Mr Bachchan to Mr Khan on KBC a tough experience?
We were pursuing Mr Bachchan all the way from the time he fell ill. At first he was undecided. In April-May he said no. Then it was just me pursuing him all the way till August 2006.

Shah Rukh is very close to you and not happy about your move from Star.
But I'm not leaving right away. I'm working with him very closely on KBC.

In an interview to HT SRK says he isn't aware that you're leaving Star?
No he knows. In fact I've spoken to him about this at length. I've told him not to worry. I'm going to be around for KBC for a while. We both are very fond of each other. And there's no way I'd leave him in a lurch.

The buzz is that a lot of Star's staff is leaving with you?
I've had a meeting with them and told them that the channel needs them, work needs to be done, serials need to be made. I'm sure we'll work together again. This isn't a ride off in the sunset for me.

But I need to start afresh. I needed this change.I don't feel rudderless. I've met the heads of all the departments at Star and advised them to let the show go on.

Your highlights at Star?
Well...in 1994 one of the first interviews I did for Star Movies was with Naseruddin Shah. I asked him what he thought of Shah Rukh Khan. Naseer said SRK reminded him of the early Rajesh Khanna.

The next big thing for me was when I got to handle Mr Bachchan's comeback movie Mrityudaata. That was a big event for me because I was such a big fan of AB. Then came the great movie acquisition when I managed to change the 5-year embargo on new films shown on tv.

I reduced the time between theatre to satellite to five months. Then I became programming head and along came KBC and the all the Balajee soaps. Then the launch of channels like Star One.

In 2006 I got promoted, and I got married, and I got Shah Rukh Khan on KBC. Now in 2007 I've quit my job at Star. Now it's the future, here I come.

Balajee might decided to leave Star with you.
I hope to work with everyone I've worked with.